Brown mascara may have been around for decades, but, like many classic, underrated makeup products, it's found newfound fame in 2025 thanks to TikTok. While mascara is a staple in my everyday makeup routine, I've always worn black mascara. So when I started to see brown mascara videos popping up on my TikTok FYP, I naturally disregarded them. But the thing about TikTok is that once you've seen one brown mascara video, you'll see five, then ten, and the next thing you know, you're Googling 'best brown mascaras' and hitting an 'order now' button.
I'm now a total brown mascara convert, and I'm not alone—with over 43 million views on TikTok (and counting), brown mascara is a key part of the 'no makeup-makeup' or 'clean girl' trend that defines so many makeup tutorials on the app. This makeup trend is all about enhancing your natural features—think, lightweight skin tints that allow your freckles to show through, cream blushers and highlighters that give skin a dewy finish, and lip oils, which tint (while nourishing) lips. Since brown mascara offers a softer, more natural-looking alternative to black, its current popularity totally makes sense.
Of course, brown mascara has long since been a staple in every makeup artist's kit. "Brown mascara makes for a softer, more curated, and natural effect," says Elyse Renau, executive director and global beauty makeup artist for Too Faced. "I also love this shade for someone who is first starting to wear makeup, as it looks young and fresh."
While Renau loves brown mascara for those new to makeup, it's also a great choice for seasoned makeup lovers, providing a natural alternative to harsher black tones.
How to Wear Brown Mascara
As for how to wear brown mascara, if you want to replicate the definition that black mascara gives, Renau recommends tightlining your upper lash line with a brown eyeliner before applying brown mascara. "This gives a liner effect without it actually looking like you're wearing liner, and will make your lashes appear thicker instantly," she explains.
Scroll down to read the Who What Wear UK team's honest reviews of the best brown mascaras, including mascaras for sensitive eyes, volumising mascaras and waterproof mascaras, so you can try the trend no matter your preference.
The Best Brown Mascaras, Tried & Tested
- Best brown mascara overall: YSL Lash Clash Mascara, £30
- Best volumising brown mascara: Too Faced + Better Than Sex Mascara, £28
- Best luxury brown mascara: Diorshow Iconic Overcurl, £37
- Best lengthening brown mascara: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, £13
- Best natural-looking brown mascara: Glossier Lash Slick, £20
- Best lifting brown mascara: REFY Lash Sculpt, £22
1. YSL Lash Clash Mascara in Brown
Why we love it: This MUA-approved YSL mascara has a thick and fluffy brush which delivers up to 200% more volume. Combined, this mascara's innovative conical brush and thick, creamy formula deliver impact with every swipe.
Pros
- Delivers natural volume
- Subtle brown shade
Cons
- A little more expensive
- Doesn't add loads of length
Editor review: "If you asked me what my one desert island makeup staple would be, it would 100% be mascara. In fact, most days it's the only product I wear when I leave the house. I think that mascara does so much—no matter if your lips are bare or your brows un-groomed, having long, volumised lashes adds drama and definition, and let's face it, makes you look alive. As I have dark brown hair and naturally black lashes, I've never previously thought twice about what colour mascara to wear—for me, it's always been black.
"So, when I started testing brown mascaras out for this story, I was expecting to like the effect but not love it enough to continue wearing it daily. How wrong I was... Since first opening the tube of YSL's Lash Clash Mascara in Brown, I've worn nothing else since. While it doesn't add definition in the same (obvious) way a black mascara does, it instead has the effect of making it look like your natural lashes are thicker and longer than they actually are. It's the perfect 'no makeup-makeup' item, and I'm totally converted." – Grace Day, freelance beauty editor & Who What Wear UK contributor
Editor review: "I’ve always been intrigued by brown mascara, but to be honest, I was sceptical as to whether it would make any difference to my very short (and very straight) jet-black lashes. The first thing I noticed about the YSL Lash Clash mascara was how large the wand was, which I initially thought might make it tricky to apply. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that the mascara didn't transfer onto my skin during application, and the smaller end of the coned brush made it super easy to get to my inner corner lashes.
"YSL Lash Clash promises volume, and I found that my lashes looked fuller and more voluminous compared to my daily black mascara without being clumpy—the perfect consistency! I was amazed that the brown shade also showed up, and whilst the difference was only slight, it gave my lashes a beautifully natural, healthy look. Am I a brown mascara convert? Whilst my only note would be that I wish this mascara would help to lengthen a little more, I am definitely adding this one to my roster of go-to products, particularly for my 'no-makeup makeup' and soft glam days." – Jerrylyn Saguiped, Who What Wear UK affiliates manager
2. Too Faced + Better Than Sex Mascara in Chocolate
Why we love it: "I am loving our warm Better Than Sex Mascara in Chocolate for softer daytime looks," says Renau. "It's giving quiet luxury, it's giving not trying too hard, it's giving I was born with long lashes! This formula performs like the original black by delivering extreme volume, length and curl."
Pros
- Adds length and volume
- Wand makes it easy to apply
Cons
- Would be nice to see it in deeper brown shades
Editor review: "I have extremely sensitive eyes, so finding eye makeup that can last comfortably on me all day is very important. I’ve been a brown mascara fan for a while now, mainly due to the fact that I find black mascara looks way too harsh, especially since mascara is something I only use on special occasions. After trying and loving the formula of Too Faced's 'Better Than Sex' black mascara, I knew there was no way the brown version would let me down. It lengthened and added volume to my usually short lashes. I'm obsessed with the unique shape of the wand, which both adds enough product and spreads it across each lash evenly. My only criticism is that it could be a much deeper brown hue to suit skin tones even deeper than mine." – Brittany Davy, Who What Wear UK editorial assistant
Editor review: "The last time I tried brown mascara, it was part of a set I ordered from my mum's Avon catalogue. I'll spare you the details on how long ago that was... As someone with blue/grey eyes, whenever I find myself in the position of having my makeup done for me, the first thing the pros want to do is slick my lashes with brown mascara and adorn my lids with a coppery smoke. "They'll really make your eyes pop!" they say, which is precisely why I avoid it—if I deliberately try to make my eyes look any bluer, it almost makes my pupils disappear. It sounds odd, I know, but it's true! However, I was excited to try Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara in Chocolate; I've used this mascara in black in the past and loved how fluttery it made my lashes look.
"First impressions, seeing the colour on the wand, the colour is very brown; chocolate is precisely the term I'd use to describe. I had been hoping for an ash brown tone, but we moved. Applying it to my lashes, the formula coated them seamlessly and on, the colour matched my dark eyebrows so well, you'd think it was deliberate. I find that when I want to wear minimal eye makeup, the black mascara I currently have in my beauty bag can sometimes come off too harshly; without liner or shadow on my eyes, this brown tone looked natural and effortless with a defined curl—the results I'd want. Trying it out in the evening with heavier eye makeup, the brown tone didn't look quite right against the charcoal and taupe shadows I tend to favour. However, going forward, on the days when I want to wear a bare lid, it's going to be a brown mascara that I reach for." – Maxine Eggenberger, Who What Wear UK deputy editor
3. Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in Brown
Why we love it: As well as adding length and volume, this mascara's curved brush helps to give lashes a lifted, boosted effect. No eyelash curler required.
Pros
- Luxurious packaging
- Holds a curl
Cons
- More expensive
Editor review: "As a brunette with almost black lashes, I've rather foolishly ruled out brown mascara altogether up until now. In fact, I think the only time I've ever worn it is when I've bought it by accident instead of my usual black and retired it to the bottom of my makeup bag. However, when Dior's Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Brown landed on my desk recently, I was curious to give it another go. Firstly, the pigment is a brick hue, which has a slight red tone to it. In colour theory, red brings out green. I was surprised that it made my brown eyes look more olive and golden, whilst remaining subtle. And, as with all of Dior's mascaras, the formulas are second-to-none. My lashes are long but stubbornly straight, but this curved brush scoops my lashes up to attention, and it's genuinely one of the only mascaras that actually holds a curl all day." – Eleanor Vousden, Who What Wear UK beauty editor
4. Makeup By Mario Master Mascara
Why we love it: Large brush volumises the lashes without clumping, creating a feathery look that doesn't smudge or flake throughout the day, even when layered up.
Pros
- Volumising
- Lightweight
- No smudging or flaking
Cons
- Wand may be too large for small or hooded eyes
Editor review: "I've tried a lot of brown mascaras over the years, but my current favourite is this one from Makeup By Mario. Not only does it come in the most perfect brown hue, but the brush coats every single lash for a fluttery effect, and the long-wearing formula never smudges. It's easily layered if you want to build more volume, too." Grace Lindsay, Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor
5. Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash Mascara Burnt Umber
Why we love it: The curved flexible wand coaxes lashes into a beautiful feline-like fan, while the burnt umber shade leans a warm brown, making it flattering on all eye colours.
Pros
- Warm brown tone suits all eye colours
- Curved wand curls, lengthening and defines lashes into a fanned-out flutter
Cons
- Not the most volumising formula around
Editor review: "I already loved the original Kitten Lash Mascara formula in black, as the curved brush effortlessly sweeps lashes into a feline flutter whilst lengthening, defining and curling. However, what I didn't realise was how much I would love the brown version, which is actually a burnt umber shade. It's a warm-toned brown that leans ever so slightly red, and I love how it makes my brown eyes look richer. Having been wearing it for the past couple of weeks, its notable how much softer my lashes feel too, thanks to the addition of organic olive tree derived wax, carnauba wax and jojoba in the formula." - Eleanor
6. Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Brown
Why we love it: Maybelline's Sky High mascara is a TikTok sensation in its own right and one of the best Maybelline mascaras—so it totally made sense when the brand released a brown version last year.
Editor review: "Maybelline's Sky High is one of my favourite mascaras of all time. It delivers next-level buildable volume and length. I've said it a lot, but genuinely, the first time I wore it, I kept double-taking myself in the mirror because the results are that good. However, my jet-black lashes often look a little too much when I have layers of black mascara on, so on softer days when I want a little more length and curl, this brown mascara is the one I opt for. It makes my lashes look supercharged in volume and length, but keeps things looking soft and wearable—it's the perfect clean-girl finish." – Shannon Lawlor, Who What Wear UK beauty director
Pros
- More affordable
- Lengthens lashes
Cons
- Struggling to think of any!
7. Glossier Lash Slick Lift and Lengthening Mascara in Brown
Why we love it: Alongside a dark chocolate tone, Glossier's mascara also contains vegan biotin to make lashes stronger over time.
Pros
- Adds length and lift
- Doesn't flake
Cons
- Often sold out
Editor review: "When it comes to my favourite mascaras, they all have a few things in common. One, they prioritise length, as my short lashes need all the help they can get. Two, they’re usually tubing formulas, which wrap the lashes and offer minimal flaking. Finally, and most problematically considering the trend we’re talking about, they’re always black. This meant that I knew, when I was shopping for a brown mascara, it at least had to tick off the first two requirements, or I’d have no hope of converting to the TikTok-approved look.
"Thankfully, one of my favourite brands delivered an immaculate brown lengthening mascara. In just one coat, Glossier Lash Slick Mascara left my lashes looking longer, more lifted and with a richness of tone that I’ve never achieved with a black mascara. As my lashes are dark, rather than an obvious brown finish, it instead gave them a warm, chocolate tint which became most obvious in sunlight. For that reason, I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this in spring and summer." – Jazzria Harris, freelance beauty editor
8. Refy Lash Sculpt Mascara in Brown
Why we love it: With its unique comb-like applicator, REFY's mascara lengthens and lifts each lash for a sculpted effect.
Editor review: "When I first saw a colleague wearing Refy Lash Sculpt mascara, I practically accosted her in a meeting room to demand she tell me what salon she had visited for her lash extensions. I refused to believe the full, lifted, sky-high length was down to mascara alone—alas, it was. Ever since, I have been a sucker for the lifting formula. However, the impact really does pack a punch, so the new brown shade is about to become my daily go-to for more toned-down makeup days." – Shannon
Pros
- Adds a fluttery, false-lash effect
Cons
- The applicator can take a little while to get used to
9. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Espresso
Why we love it: This tubing mascara formula not only delivers amazing length, volume and all-day curl hold, but it's easily removed with just warm water.
Editor review: "This mascara is by far one of the best mascaras I've ever tried, and I was thrilled to see it had been expanded into this stunning Espresso shade. It's a rich brown, which delivers all the lengthening, defining and curling brilliance of the original, but with a softer look that's great for day-to-day wear if black feels too much. The tubing formula also makes it smudge- and transfer-free, and easily removes with just warm water. It basically slides straight off your lashes with minimal effort." - Eleanor
Pros
- Rich brown hue
- Lengthens, defines and curls lashes with all-day hold
- Doesn't smudge or flake
- Easy to remove
Cons
- On the expensive side
Shop More Brown Mascaras:
If you're looking for a great affordable mascara, I'm a huge fan of this L'Oréal mascara. The Volume Million Mascara in Brown lengthens, separates and gives a rich coat of brown colour, making it a real triple threat.
If you have very fair, blonde lashes, this mink-brown mascara primer makes for a softer, more wearable alternative to harsh black.
Thanks to its short, fluffy brush, this is an excellent brown mascara to choose if you want to make your natural lashes appear thicker and more voluminous.
This brown mascara has been around for years and is a cult favourite—the reviews speak for themselves.
With a warm, reddish tint to it, this brown mascara really makes blue and green eyes pop.
If length is top of your agenda when choosing a mascara, look no further than this Sweed formula. The fine, comb-like brush helps to separate and extend each individual lash.
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